Published January 27 2020

2020 Volkswagen Jetta vs. 2020 Hyundai Elantra

Compact cars need not simply be a sensible way to get around. Too often we think about these small cars as nothing more than affordable or even compromised when compared to midsize cars for example. If you’ve not sampled any of the latest batch of compacts available in Canada recently, you’re in for a shock.

Two such affordable compact cars are the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta and 2020 Hyundai Elantra. Both small sedans have gone under the knife in recent times and not only do they now look like nothing less than semi-premium automobiles, they are equipped as such. Or nearly.

The Elantra has the potential advantage of sporting a lower entry-level price however the gap in included features can be difficult to accept. From the next level up, pricing between the base Jetta and the similarly equipped Elantra is nearly on par.

At the under $21,000 price point, both cars include a roomy interior for five, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, 16-inch alloy wheels, and numerous other elements such as a 6.5-inch (VW) or 7-inch (Hyundai) touchscreen display. The main difference here is that the Hyundai includes its Intelligent Variable automatic Transmission (IVT) whereas the Volkswagen is delivered with the standard 6-speed manual transmission. This is more a demonstration of what the Jetta is truly all about than anything else.

The Hyundai Elantra is powered by a 147-horsepower 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine which provides adequate performance with its included 132 lb.-ft. of torque. The Volkswagen Jetta, on the other hand, is blessed with a turbocharged 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that generates 147-horsepower and 184 lb.-ft. of torque. Before going on about the advantages of torque, know that with the manual or optional efficient 8-speed automatic transmission, the Jetta will uses as little as 5.9L/100km of fuel on the highway. With the continuously variable transmission, the Elantra consumes 5.6L/100km. In the real world, these numbers are identical. Truth be told, if the Hyundai wants to keep up with the Jetta, it will not be as frugal.

The available power in the 2020 Volkswagen Jetta is in line with the fact that this is a true driving enthusiast car. The Jetta’s precise handling dynamics shine greater than all of its competitors, including the Elantra. And, as you can see, there’s no penalty at the pumps involved.

The Jetta can be simple, is affordable but it is certainly not compromised.